Behind Tim Tebow, the Denver Broncos on Sunday had a chance to clinch the AFC West title and an NFL playoff berth. But Kyle Orton and the Kansas City Chiefs were looking to win their season finale.

Track Tebow's and Orton's time against each other Sunday here:

THE VERDICT

Orton outplayed Tebow. Kansas City won the stat that counted: Or did it? The Broncos happily backed into the AFC West title with San Diego's victory at Oakland. Tebow will get another shot to play better and work some magic.

TEBOW

Does Tebow have the game right where he wants it? The Broncos trail 7-3 after three quarters. Broncos fans must wonder if Tebow can manufacture a fourth-quarter comeback for the sixth time this season. Wonder if Kansas City's defense - and perhaps quarterback Kyle Orton -- is thinking the same thing?

Broncos on the board, but... The good news for the Broncos: Matt Prater pulled Denver to within 7-3 on a 38-yard field goal with 8:11 remaining in the third quarter. The bad news: Denver "moved" zero yards in three plays after recovering a muffed punt return in the Chiefs' red zone.

Tebow taking shots -- by K.C. defense: It will be a surprise if Tebow isn't feeling at least several of his ribs later this week.

Sometimes holding onto the ball too long, he has taken some shots by Kansas City's defense. That includes a hit directly to his mid-section by Kansas City linebacker Justin Houston that forced an incompletion early in the third quarter.

Tebow fumble squanders opportunity: Tim Tebow has had trouble with ball security in recent games and that bit him again in the second quarter. The Broncos appeared poised to drive for a tying touchdown when Tebow reversed his direction on a keeper and headed for a first down inside the Kansas City 20. But before he could reach the sideline, Tebow was hit by Chiefs free safety Kendrick Lewis and the ball popped free. Kansas City recovered. Scoring drive all for naught. The crowd went back to sitting on its hands.

'Team Tebow' starts slowly:

There was no sign of any Tim Tebow magic during the Broncos' first two possessions - both three-and-out. Adding injury to insult, Denver's starting right guard, Chris Kuper, was taken off the field via a cart with a leg injury and was immediately ruled done for the afternoon.

ORTON

Orton to be without Bowe? According to observers, Kansas City receiver Dwayne Bowe went into the X-ray room before the second half. Kansas City reported Bowe has neck injury and his return is questionable. He led everybody in the first half with six receptions for 93 yards, catching several passes against Champ Bailey.

Orton draws first blood: A 13-play, 90-yard drive just before the end of the first quarter puts the Chiefs on the board first, and the about all Orton had to do was hand off to Kansas City's back-up running back Dexter McCluster. McCluster, who like Tebow is a second-year pro, broke free for runs of 10 and 16 yards to set up his 21-yard touchdown run -- beating the Broncos defense to the right corner. Oh, by the way, McCluster played at Ole Miss -- which defeated Tebow's Florida Gators and prompted Tebow to give "The Speech."

Opening two Chiefs drives cross midfield but produce no points: Taking advantage of favorable field position, Kansas City's Kyle Orton again moved the Chiefs into Broncos territory on their second possession. The big play was a 22-yard completion to Dwayne Bowe in front of Broncos Pro Bowl selection Champ Bailey to the Denver 30. But the Chiefs had to settle for a 44-yard field goal attempt by Ryan Succop and when it missed, that meant zero points for the visitors on two trips that penetrated Denver territory.

Orton into Broncos territory: Playing against his former team, Kansas City's Kyle Orton completed his first two pass attempts and the Chiefs into Denver territory -- to the chagrin of Broncos fans. But the Kansas City drive stalled at the Denver 45 when Orton misfired on two passes, including a throw to the right sideline that went off the fingertips of Jonathan Baldwin.

"It was a fun game. It's fun to see old teammates. We got into a good flow early in the game. We got into a good rythym. The second half turned into a field position kind of game. We tried to hold on to the football and be smart.

"There was a little more to this game. I can't hide that. I congratulate them and look forward to next year.

"I talked to a lot of people. I wasn't able to find them. (Tebow and Fox). I have a lot of friends on that team. I feel terrible for Chris Kuper (injured. He's a good friend and teammate."

"No, no, not at all (was this then biggest win of his career). It was a good win for us as a team. We got off to a good start on the new year.

"He (Dwayne Bowe) was playing great. He was playing against a great corner in Champ (Bailey) and got him turned around a couple of times. It was tough on us to be without him the second half.

"It was a long yearn for me. I thank the Chiefs for the opportunity to have a fresh start. I needed a fresh start."

Missy Franklin, Jenny Simpson, Adeline Gray and three other Colorado women could be big players at the 2016 Rio OlympicsWhen people ask Missy Franklin for her thoughts about the Summer Olympics that will begin a year from Wednesday in Rio de Janeiro, she hangs a warning label on her answer.